Chapter 9: Chp 9. Bucket List
[Central Park Zoo]
Shanna was just exiting the zoo after clocking out and saw Paul standing there in the parking lot waiting for her. She was stunned a bit as she was not sure how she agreed going on a date with a man she just met but she felt he was quite genuine other than the fact he was a bit handsome too and fit.
"Hey there, I hope you haven't been waiting here for long." Shanna looked at Paul who smiled back at her and opened the door to his passenger seat.
"Not much, just a few minutes or so. So ready for our date?" Paul smiled as he looked at the beautiful blonde girl.
"Can I go to my place first? I can't go out dressed like this when you look well dressed already." Shanna said as she looked at her staff uniform and then at Paul who wore a dark green turtle neck, dark navy chinos, a silver watch and navy loafer going in for a semi casual appearance that suited his Asian features greatly.
"Sure thing, dinner still an hour away anyways. Is your place nearby?" Paul said as he started the car.
"Yes, just two streets nearby." Shanna directed Paul to her address which made her a bit embarrassed but slightly surprised as to why she was comfortable showing a man where she lives even before they started their date.
It took about 15 minutes for Paul to get there and another 30 for Shanna to finish changing to a simple fit long sleeve black turtle neck sweater tucked in a casual skinny jeans and a pair of black heeled leather boots.
"Wow, just wow…" Paul said as he looked at Shanna who felt happy at the compliments and attention Paul was giving her. He then opened the door to the passenger seat and hurriedly went to the driver's seat to go to the restaurant Coulson recommended.
They talked a bit on their way about simple everyday things and arrived at a high end restaurant in 46th St. that made Shanna surprised at where they are.
"Holy crap! You got us a reservation in Barbetta?!" Shanna was looking at Paul who also looked confused for a bit but he composed himself.
"Yes, yes I did." Paul drove the car to the parking lot then found a spot and went with Shanna while taking out his jacket in the back seat to cover the girl up from the cold because the jacket she brought was a bit thin. Then they went to the entrance, but before he could ask where his table is a waiter arrived and greeted them.
"Mr. Esteban welcome to the Barbetta, I shall be your waiter for the evening so please follow me to your table." A well dressed middle aged man went forward and helped Paul and Shanna with their jackets then led them inside the restaurant.
Paul did not care much but he was surprised how Fury gave him a great place to eat. Looking to his side he saw how Shanna was impressed at the decorations inside as well as the atmosphere that just screamed bourgeoisie life.
But they didn't mind as they went on with their date which led to them watching movies at the end, meanwhile in Shield headquarters Fury was talking with another bald man on the screen as they talked about the possibility of Apocalypse being brought back by Magneto and talks about cooperation on stopping the Brotherhood from ever finding the location of where Apocalypse is.
"Like I said, from the information we have gathered, this Apocalypse is much dangerous than Exodus by a large Margin. And we can't have that if you keep hiding where Magneto is, are you gonna risk lives of millions just to protect a terrorist that screams 'Die Nazi!' even when he acts very similar to one in many ways?" Fury was really mad as to why Charles didn't want to disclose Magneto's whereabouts.
"Like I said director Fury, this is a matter between us mutants and we will solve this matter ourselves. You know it too yourself that your weapons are ineffective against Magneto so it is better we tackle this without your help." Charles said as he didn't want any agents from the government hurt by Magneto or else some people might just use that to justify some actions that will harm the mutants.
"And I have prepared for that matter entirely, I have agents ready to join and not be a burden at all because we have already made contingencies for Magneto." Fury said as he looked sternly at Charles.
"Then are you going to kill Magneto?" Charles looked serious when he heard Fury speak of preparations against Magneto.
"If push comes to shove, then I will. He already did so much damage that many of the members of the Council are calling for his head. Yet here I am still giving you a chance to stop him as well as arrest him, but my agents not being allowed to follow is non-negotiable. The amount of government properties destroyed is too much to ignore so we'll take him to our custody once this is all over." Fury looked pissed cause he had just heard that another attack to a secret government facility happened and evidence found all pointed back to Magneto.
"Fine, you can send your Agents here and I'll have them meet my students." Charles looked tired as he too heard of what Magneto did by attacking and killing government personnel.
"They'll be there in two hours." Fury cut the connection and looked behind him seeing two of his best agent present within the room.
"I take it that you all have familiarized yourself with you new gear?" Fury asked.
"Yeah, it took a while but at least the weight is lighter." Clint Barton said as he looked at his non-magnetic compound bow as well as trick arrows that were also non-magnetic.
"Good, but before you all go I have someone else to introduce to you." Fury looked at Natasha who seemed confused as to why she was called back from one of her missions.
[Central Park]
"I mean, if you look at it those stunts they did with the cars are theoretically possible but you'll have to be able to react instantly seeing many things are happening around you." Paul walked with Shanna by the park after they watched Fast and Furious Tokyo drift.
"I know but poor Han though, he seemed like a great character." Shanna said as she was thinking of what happened in the movie.
"Yeah, but maybe they'll bring him back. The movie was a success so they be making more in the future and It can't be all about racing. That Dom guy kept talking about family and such, so I won't be surprised in one day they race with tanks." Paul smiled as he realized at least some things never change but some movies though were not available here in this world so maybe investing in the movie industry will be a good thing.
"I know, it seems interesting to see a tank try to run you over. Maybe they'll race in outer space too hahaha." Shanna laughed as she said the impossibility of racing in outer space but Paul was silent a bit as he knew that there would indeed be scene in the future in outer space.
"Hahaha, that is indeed funny to think of." Paul smiled but paused a bit holding Shanna's hand stopping her from walking forward. She looked confused for a moment until some people appeared out from the shadows.
These were four homeless looking men staring at Shanna hungrily as well as looking at Paul's watch greedily.
"Give us your wallet or else!!" said one of the men.
"Yeah, and leave the girl here, we'll take care of her." Another hoodlum said.
"You sure you want to do this." Paul looked at them coldly as he subtly glanced behind him but before he could say anything more Shanna launched herself instantly sending a kick to one guy's abdomen.
"Hmph! Get out of here you bum or I'll call the police!" Shanna looked like a ferocious tiger at the moment as she looked at the men surrounding them.
"You b*tch, I'll teach you some manners myself!!" the bigger one of the three left charged at Shanna who did not seemed fazed at their assault as she did an backflip sending a kick to the chin towards the big guy knocking out some of his teeth.
*BAM!!*
"Sh*t she's a devil!! Run!" One of the men cowered as he looked at Shanna in fear while the other did the opposite as he ran towards Paul with a small knife seemingly trying to take him hostage but Paul just instantly gave a back handed slap making the guy unconscious in an instant.
"Whoa! That was wicked." Shanna said as she saw how Paul seemed unfazed.
"Too amateurish, he just ran at me with no cover at his face at all." Paul said as he gave the big guy that received a kick on his chin a double tap. Then he went and called 911 to report what happened, minutes later police arrived and took Paul and Shanna's statements. Luckily there was a camera that got all the events that happened here so they were released immediately by the police.
Soon Paul drove Shanna home and each talked at how fun the night was, Paul realized that Shanna was a very energetic gal who said that she was a former athlete. Paul said he was more of a veteran but he did not specify yet Shanna just smiled as she did not mind.
"So tonight was really fun, I wish I could get more times like this." Shanna said to Paul as she stood by her door.
"So is that another date I hear?" Paul smiled as he found the night to be fun too.
"We'll if only someone would ask me out again." Shanna smiled to Paul.
"Very well my lady, doth fair maiden be so graciously fair towards this gentleman for twas been found thine presence is very much appreciated. An Invitation if ever the lady fancy having another day to galivant with thine poor self for a night of dinner and theater in the near future if tis be in your vested interest?" Paul gave a goofy performance of inviting Shanna which she liked as she was sort of a frank type of person.
"Thou shall receive a message soon with response proper to your inquiry, toodleloo mister Paul!" Shanna played along laughing while trying to sound fancy as well.
"Toodleloo?" Paul smiled as he asked.
"What!? It seemed right to say so and I don't know much of those fancy ways they talk in movies." Shanna smiled as she tiptoed a bit and gave Paul a kiss in the cheek.
"Well, bye!!" Shanna blushed and ran inside closing the door quickly, Paul found her really cute but he did not push further, he knew that the night was already a success so leaving this at that for the moment is good.
Walking down the street he did not go to his car but to a tinted window one which was parked nearby. As he closed in he saw the window going down showing Coulson in the driver's seat.
"Mr. Esteban, would it be okay for us to consult you for a bit?" Coulson said which made Paul nod but his eyes were looking at the back of the car. He then turned around and went to his car then followed behind Coulson.
Soon they reached a building where there are a lot of employees going about even when it was already night time. Paul came out of his car and looked around, he felt that maybe they were going to somewhere very far tonight.
"So what are we here for agent?" Paul looked at Coulson at his side who is being followed by beautiful Redhead that was also thoughtfully looking at Paul.
"The Director has called for an emergency consult and hopes you might have more ideas that could help once things are going down." Coulson looked at Paul and gestured to follow him inside.
"Well, can't say no to extra allowance." Paul shrugged as he too walked in the building while actively looking around. Behind them Natasha Romanoff was still looking at Paul's lackadaisical manner like everything around him is like a show.
Soon they got in an Elevator and Paul noticed Coulson pressing the topmost floor. Looking at the two behind him he felt that maybe they had already found where Magneto is and realized what might he be planning now.
They soon arrived at the top floor and was greeted by a large amount of winds coming from a running Helicopter. There was another person on the chopper, a regular build guy but with fit physique and holds a compound bow as well as two sets of quiver on his back.
"Wow, we going on a picnic somewhere?" Paul just followed along as he did not mind anything since he knew from his enhanced senses that there is no one here that could harm him. Maybe being virtually un-killable and immortal changed a bit of how he perceives the world.
"NOPE, MORE LIKE A ROAD TRIP OF SORTS." Coulson shouted out due to the noise of the helicopter rotating its propellers. Soon the three took off with Hawk eye towards somewhere Paul doesn't know.
"WHERE ARE WE HEADING?!" Paul shouted but he saw the others put on the overly large headsets on the helicopter. Following their example he put them on again and shouted. "WHERE ARE WE GOING!!?"
"No need to shout Mr. Esteban, we can all hear you just fine." Coulson looked a bit tired out because since he has been watching over Paul he was subjected to many weird antics done by their new Consultant.
"I know, just wanna annoy your boss who's listening through this." Paul smiled as he sat back thinking that maybe Nick Fury was indeed listening.
"It takes a lot more than that to annoy me Mr. Esteban." Nick' voice just came in time which made the others straighten up a bit.
"Really? Cause I got a bucket list here and it includes you 'Boss'!" Paul said as he just kept admiring the view as their helicopter flew north bound.
"Really, and care to tell me why I am included in this list?" Fury was intrigued as he was curious why he was on someone's bucket list.
"Well there tends to be a trend here that most people in the highest authority of their group are mostly seen bald, so I made a list of bald heads I wanted to touch just for luck." Paul saw the weirded out faces of Coulson, Clint and Natasha in the chopper.